Bob Arum speaks the truth about Mayweather

[pk500]

Quotes from a press conference after the welterweight double-header last Saturday night in Atlantic City:

>>>After Cotto's 5th round TKO win, Bob Arum was asked by a reporter what he thought Mayweather might think about the Puerto Rican powerhouse now. His response drew laughter at the post-fight press conference. "Mayweather sat at home and watched the HBO doubleheader of the knockouts by Cotto and Margarito. And then he probably signed on to a flight to Mars."

Arum didn't stop there. He even had some veiled but critical words about HBO. "If he considers himself the best pound fighter in the world he should fight the best out there. No question about that. Enough people have raised that - What about Cotto? What about Margarito? Well he ain't having any of that. You know who he's gonna fight? He's gonna fight a nonsense fight again with De La Hoya which they're gonna try to sell based on his father working De La Hoya's corner. And then cursing each other out and making spectacles of themselves. And HBO will empower them by doing a 24/7 and a whole nine yards. And then he's gonna fight Ricky Hatton. Imagine that! Ricky Hatton!"

I asked Bob - Isn't it your job to sell Cotto vs. Mayweather to HBO, to make that fight happen? His response fingered Floyd as the sole obstacle. "HBO can't do it. HBO would love to do it. But they can't do it. Mayweather IS A COWARD. A PSYCHOLOGICAL COWARD. He's AFRAID TO LOSE. As long as some writers are gonna vote for him as Fighter of the Year, because he beat a 400-pound guy, didn't he? Then it's gonna empower him. You gotta understand, he's a psychological coward. He's afraid to lose."<<<

Arum has a point. It's about time for Mayweather to man up and fight the top contenders in the division instead of taking big-money paydays against lesser fighters if he really wants to cement his legacy as one of the all-time greats.

You didn't see Leonard, Hagler and Hearns ducking each other in the early 80s, did you?

Take care,
PK

[aholbert32]

Re: Bob Arum speaks the truth about Mayweather

Quotes from a press conference after the welterweight double-header last Saturday night in Atlantic City:

>>>After Cotto's 5th round TKO win, Bob Arum was asked by a reporter what he thought Mayweather might think about the Puerto Rican powerhouse now. His response drew laughter at the post-fight press conference. "Mayweather sat at home and watched the HBO doubleheader of the knockouts by Cotto and Margarito. And then he probably signed on to a flight to Mars."

Arum didn't stop there. He even had some veiled but critical words about HBO. "If he considers himself the best pound fighter in the world he should fight the best out there. No question about that. Enough people have raised that - What about Cotto? What about Margarito? Well he ain't having any of that. You know who he's gonna fight? He's gonna fight a nonsense fight again with De La Hoya which they're gonna try to sell based on his father working De La Hoya's corner. And then cursing each other out and making spectacles of themselves. And HBO will empower them by doing a 24/7 and a whole nine yards. And then he's gonna fight Ricky Hatton. Imagine that! Ricky Hatton!"

I asked Bob - Isn't it your job to sell Cotto vs. Mayweather to HBO, to make that fight happen? His response fingered Floyd as the sole obstacle. "HBO can't do it. HBO would love to do it. But they can't do it. Mayweather IS A COWARD. A PSYCHOLOGICAL COWARD. He's AFRAID TO LOSE. As long as some writers are gonna vote for him as Fighter of the Year, because he beat a 400-pound guy, didn't he? Then it's gonna empower him. You gotta understand, he's a psychological coward. He's afraid to lose."<<<

Arum has a point. It's about time for Mayweather to man up and fight the top contenders in the division instead of taking big-money paydays against lesser fighters if he really wants to cement his legacy as one of the all-time greats.

You didn't see Leonard, Hagler and Hearns ducking each other in the early 80s, did you?

Take care,
PK

I think everybody is jumping the gun here. Floyd will fight Cotto in early 2009. He will beat Oscar again and fight Miguel. Also I cant say that Floyd has ducked anyone in the division.

Lets run down his last few fights. He signed to fight Judah when Judah was the recognized welterweight champ. Judah lost the belt to Baldomir in a tuneup for Floyd. Floyd decided to still fight Judah because it was a big money fight. After that fight everyone wanted him to fight Baldy and he did and beat him. After that fight everyone wanted him to fight Oscar and he did and beat him. After that, he could of fought Cotto but even Cotto admitted at the time that he wasnt ready for Floyd. So Floyd fought Hatton.

With the exception of Cotto, there are no other welterweights that deserve a shot. Margarito lost to Williams, Williams lost to Quintana, Mosley lost to Cotto, Quintana lost to Cotto and Cintron lost to Margarito. Cotto is the only one who stands out.

Now if after the second Oscar fight Floyd decides to fight Hatton instead of Cotto than we can call him a coward but so far he has fought everyone in front of him.


PS. Leonard ducked Hagler for years. Even went into retirement to avoid him.

[Brandon13]

Re: Bob Arum speaks the truth about Mayweather

There's really a chance that Floyd could fight Hatton again?

[aholbert32]

Re: Bob Arum speaks the truth about Mayweather

There's really a chance that Floyd could fight Hatton again?

Hatton's folks are putting it out there but its not gonna happen. Hatton wants it to be in England and Floyd aint fighting outside of LV.

[Complex]

Re: Bob Arum speaks the truth about Mayweather

I think everybody is jumping the gun here. Floyd will fight Cotto in early 2009. He will beat Oscar again and fight Miguel. Also I cant say that Floyd has ducked anyone in the division.

Lets run down his last few fights. He signed to fight Judah when Judah was the recognized welterweight champ. Judah lost the belt to Baldomir in a tuneup for Floyd. Floyd decided to still fight Judah because it was a big money fight. After that fight everyone wanted him to fight Baldy and he did and beat him. After that fight everyone wanted him to fight Oscar and he did and beat him. After that, he could of fought Cotto but even Cotto admitted at the time that he wasnt ready for Floyd. So Floyd fought Hatton.

With the exception of Cotto, there are no other welterweights that deserve a shot. Margarito lost to Williams, Williams lost to Quintana, Mosley lost to Cotto, Quintana lost to Cotto and Cintron lost to Margarito. Cotto is the only one who stands out.

Now if after the second Oscar fight Floyd decides to fight Hatton instead of Cotto than we can call him a coward but so far he has fought everyone in front of him.


PS. Leonard ducked Hagler for years. Even went into retirement to avoid him.

it amazes me how much Arum believes his own words. And anyone that takes this serious needs to take a step back. I remember when Floyd stepped up to take on Corrales and everyone thought Floyd did not have a chance. He beats Diego soundly and then somehow folks started to say it was a mismatch in Floyd's favor. Same thing with Castillo, same thing with Chavez, same thing with Hatton.

at this rate each year we will find a guy that we think Floyd needs to fight.

Someone please name me 3 top fighters Margarito has beaten, and Cintron is not one of them. The only other named figher he has his Clottey and he barely won that fight (draw in my book) and Clottey fought 3 quarters of the fight with a broken hand.

[Complex]

Re: Bob Arum speaks the truth about Mayweather

Forgot to speak on Cotto. No doubt Cotto looked great against Gomez, but let us not forget it was Gomez. Name me one top notch fighter that Cotto has dominated, not beaten, but dominated.

[pk500]

Re: Bob Arum speaks the truth about Mayweather

Forgot to speak on Cotto. No doubt Cotto looked great against Gomez, but let us not forget it was Gomez. Name me one top notch fighter that Cotto has dominated, not beaten, but dominated.

What difference does that make? The guy has found a way to win each time.

The only big question with Cotto is that he has fought a lot of guys recently who were stationary against him -- Judah, Mosley, Gomez. Guys who are more than willing to take shots to land shots. So it will be very interesting how he handles a guy who can stick and move like Mayweather.

I can only hope that Aaron is right and that Mayweather will take on Cotto next year. Then all the questions will be answered.

Take care,
PK

[Money99]

Re: Bob Arum speaks the truth about Mayweather

Thanks for posting this PK.
Actually, didn't Steward say the same things (only nicer)?
He flat out called Mayweather a 'money' fighter. His only concern is his bank account.

While that's fine and all, it certainly doesn't help his ego when he considers himself the greatest of his generation.

Look at the past greats; Robinson, Leonard, Ali, Holyfield, etc. They all fought the best guys that were available. Mayweather's rematches against DLH and Hatton are laughable, money-grabs.

What makes me laugh is that Mayweather even nicknamed himself 'money'. It's a brilliant PR move because he's basically admitting that he'd rather take safe, big money fights instead of the toughest fights out there. He's beating everyone to the punch line. Sort of, make fun of yourself before anyone else can.
That's fine for him, but it's horrible for boxing and it's fans.

[JayBee74]

Re: Bob Arum speaks the truth about Mayweather

PS. Leonard ducked Hagler for years. Even went into retirement to avoid him.

A detached retina sent Leonard into retirement, and the fact that Leonard went 3 years without a fight before calling Hagler out earns him a "non duck" status.

[albsur2003]

Re: Bob Arum speaks the truth about Mayweather

Quotes from a press conference after the welterweight double-header last Saturday night in Atlantic City:

>>>After Cotto's 5th round TKO win, Bob Arum was asked by a reporter what he thought Mayweather might think about the Puerto Rican powerhouse now. His response drew laughter at the post-fight press conference. "Mayweather sat at home and watched the HBO doubleheader of the knockouts by Cotto and Margarito. And then he probably signed on to a flight to Mars."

Arum didn't stop there. He even had some veiled but critical words about HBO. "If he considers himself the best pound fighter in the world he should fight the best out there. No question about that. Enough people have raised that - What about Cotto? What about Margarito? Well he ain't having any of that. You know who he's gonna fight? He's gonna fight a nonsense fight again with De La Hoya which they're gonna try to sell based on his father working De La Hoya's corner. And then cursing each other out and making spectacles of themselves. And HBO will empower them by doing a 24/7 and a whole nine yards. And then he's gonna fight Ricky Hatton. Imagine that! Ricky Hatton!"

I asked Bob - Isn't it your job to sell Cotto vs. Mayweather to HBO, to make that fight happen? His response fingered Floyd as the sole obstacle. "HBO can't do it. HBO would love to do it. But they can't do it. Mayweather IS A COWARD. A PSYCHOLOGICAL COWARD. He's AFRAID TO LOSE. As long as some writers are gonna vote for him as Fighter of the Year, because he beat a 400-pound guy, didn't he? Then it's gonna empower him. You gotta understand, he's a psychological coward. He's afraid to lose."<<<

Arum has a point. It's about time for Mayweather to man up and fight the top contenders in the division instead of taking big-money paydays against lesser fighters if he really wants to cement his legacy as one of the all-time greats.

You didn't see Leonard, Hagler and Hearns ducking each other in the early 80s, did you?

Take care,
PK

What in the blue hell are you talking about? Leonard put off the Hearns fight for YEARS until he got the money that he wanted. This is what Arum does, he's a promoter. How do you build up a contender? By claiming that the champion is ducking him until the fight MUST be made and the demand can pay both fighters what they ask for. It's funny how you guys believe a promoter's claims about THEIR OWN client. Get real man.

Cotto has only emerged as a viable contender for Mayweather at 147 for about six months now after he beat Mosley. Let's all remember how nobody, not Cotto, not Hatton, not anybody wanted a Floyd Mayweather fight after he demolished Gatti at 140 in 2005. Nobody wanted to fight him. Mayweather is doing the smart thing, he's gonna want at least 20 Million per fight now, so he's gonna wait until it gets really juicy and HBO and Arum will pay him what he wants.

To be fair to Floyd, Cotto isn't barking for the fight either you know. But then again, that's not his style anyway. He kinda just does what Arum tell him to do. It's funny how some of you guys believe that Floyd is scared of Cotto. Come on, Floyd's a blown up lightweight/junior welterweight beating elite boxers like ODLH and Hatton at 154 and 147. Nobody in their right minds can tell me that Cotto hits harder than ODLH at 154. Nobody can tell me that there is a better pressure fighter in the world than Ricky Hatton except maybe Margo. Cotto has a good shot to beat Floyd, but most likely, Floyd will end up fighting Cotto in 2009 and beating him in a convincing UD and everyone will continue to not give him any credit.

[JayBee74]

Re: Bob Arum speaks the truth about Mayweather

Cotto has a good shot to beat Floyd, but most likely, Floyd will end up fighting Cotto in 2009 and beating him in a convincing UD and everyone will continue to not give him any credit.

Good overall post but it looks like your a little unsure of the outcome of a possible Cotto/Mayweather bash. I think it's such a big money game, that I wouldn't blame Mayweather if he took on De La Hoya again for $20 million(it's got to be the Mexican fan base factor because I wouldn't pay 5 dollars to see that rematch) instead of Cotto. I don't dislike Mayweather as much as I used to, and I wouldn't bet against him unless he goes up to light heavy.

[Vast]

Re: Bob Arum speaks the truth about Mayweather

I can guarantee that cotto hits harder than delahoya. Oscar only has a Left hook
and I'd much rather see a mosley mayweather fight than floyd vs oscar. I can't wait for cotto mayweather tho. I don't see either of these fighters losing until they face each other.

[Complex]

Re: Bob Arum speaks the truth about Mayweather

What difference does that make? The guy has found a way to win each time.

The only big question with Cotto is that he has fought a lot of guys recently who were stationary against him -- Judah, Mosley, Gomez. Guys who are more than willing to take shots to land shots. So it will be very interesting how he handles a guy who can stick and move like Mayweather.

I can only hope that Aaron is right and that Mayweather will take on Cotto next year. Then all the questions will be answered.

Take care,
PK

It does make a difference. If a Corley, Torres drop him and Maliggini is beating him to the punch, what happens with the best the sport has to offer fights him. I give Cotto a chance but the best boxer he fought was an over the hill Mosley and most folks feel that fight was a draw.

I will not be interesting to see him fight a guy who can stick and move. It means he will get beaten to the punche like Hatton, Baldomir, Gatti etc etc. Cotto is slow. He punches hard but is slow. Why do folks feel somehow he will get faster when he fights Floyd?

[Complex]

Re: Bob Arum speaks the truth about Mayweather

I can guarantee that cotto hits harder than delahoya. Oscar only has a Left hook
and I'd much rather see a mosley mayweather fight than floyd vs oscar. I can't wait for cotto mayweather tho. I don't see either of these fighters losing until they face each other.

I think Hatton, Corrales, and Judah both hit harder than Floyd. But you see what happened.

[pk500]

Re: Bob Arum speaks the truth about Mayweather

I think Hatton, Corrales, and Judah both hit harder than Floyd. But you see what happened.

This entire discussion makes me even more excited about Yuriorkis Gamboa. The guy is incredibly fast yet hits like TNT. The complete package.

Gamboa is the next big superstar in the lower weight categories.

Take care,
PK